Game releases (30 March – 3 April 2009)

The original DS was released in 2004 amid skepticism about the console’s chances to rightfully succeed its predecessor, the mighty Game Boy. Sony’s handheld invsasion with the PSP looked like it would steal Nintendo’s lead in handhelds with its shiny, sleek and powerful console. The DS on the other hand was bulky, ugly, and featured a touch screen. How would that work in games?

5 years later the DS is estimated to have worldwide sales of around 96million units. It has simply become a phenomenon with adults and children alike. Whether it’s Mario Kart, Brain Training or Nintendogs it seems like everyone has fallen in love with it.What’s new?

The Nintendo DSi console is the third version of Nintendo’s handheld DS console. The new version is similar in shape to the current model the DS Lite but with some minor differences in appearance. It now has a mat surface so no more fingerprints all over the console and also the screens are just a bit bigger and brighter.

With regards to features, Nintendo has added two cameras. The first is looking towards the player while the second away from the player. The DSi is Wi-Fi ready from the go, so no more add-ons required like in the previous versions to get online.

The Game Boy Advance port/slot has been removed and in its place there is a SD card slot for storage. Now this is big new feature of the console. Why does the DSi need more storage space? Because Nintendo will have a new online store, called the DSiware which will open on the day of the console’s launch, April 3rd. Here, one will be able to buy and download games straight to the DS over the Internet. This will allow for the development of smaller, innovative and lower budget games reaching consumers much like the Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Store.

Is it worth buying?

If you don’t already own a DS, then this is definitely the version to buy. If you do own the DS Lite however i would adopt a wait and see policy for now as it’s unclear how good the DSiware games will be and how much time will be needed to establish a good library of games.

Whatever your decision may be, the Nintendo DSi is my pick of the week and my tribute to the most successful console of this generation.

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About the Author

Costas Taliadoros is an accountant by profession but a gamer at heart. He was born in Nicosia in 1977 and was raised by Donkey Kong. At a very young age he started piloting F-15 Strike Eagles over the Iraqi and Libyan deserts and has also seen action in an M1 Ambraams tank somewhere in Eastern Europe fighting against the Soviets. As the years went by, he was integrated into Civilization until he finally conquered the world and sent the first human mission to Alpha Centauri. He graduated from the International Superstar Soccer academy and moved back to Cyprus to start his career. In this dark period of his life he fought and swore against 3 more Master Chiefs on a 4-way split-screen all day and night. It was around this period that he also started traveling to Live in many places around the world but mostly the USA. There, he met a lot of young American teenagers who were willing to discuss topics like his mother and the colour of his skin in great detail. It only strengthened his belief that he still has a lot to learn in this life.
Nowadays Costas can be found on a couch playing games with friends and foes, with beer in close proximity. He is just a non-professional “writer” who loves games, books, comics, football, and running. He is also writing in the video-game site he co-founded, www.forevergamers.com, and on his personal blog, www.lostingames.net.

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